d Ares together and told Hephaestus, who conspired to catch them. He placed a net in her bed, and they were caught for all the Olympians to see. She remained married to Hephaestus, but the sight of her voluptuous body tangled in the net probably ignited the passions of her father, her uncle, and her half brother, (Bell 2000), Zeus, Poseidon, and Hermes, respectively. Hermaphroditus is the child born of Aphrodites escapade with Hermes; he had both sex organs after conjoining with a nymph in the river. She also had a child with Dionysus, known as Priapus. Her most well-known child (of unknown parentage) is Eros, known better as the Romans called him, Cupid. As promiscuous as Aphrodite was, she did take pity on others and did help them when they were in need. Melianon was given the golden apples by Aphrodite to win the footrace. She gave Medea passion for Jason so that she would help him obtain the Golden Fleece. She bestowed beauty upon Pandora. Pygmalions ivory statue became a living entity because of her. He used to kiss and fondle it, and bring it presents of flowers, pet birds and jewellry. Eventually Aphrodite took pity on him, and the next time he kissed the statue he felt its body stir beneath his own: Then Pygmalion poured out his grateful thanks to the goddess, and once again pressed his own lips to lips that were real at last (Ovid, 8). All ended happily, and Aphrodite herself attended their wedding (Blundell 1998).On the other hand, those who neglected to worship her, denied love, or compared themselves in beauty to her were punished accordingly. The Sirens, remaining virgins, were made to grow wings. When some of Poseidons sons insulted her, she caused them to go mad, so much so that they raped their own mother. Aegeus had no children until he introduced her worship in Athens. Aphrodite also had a hand in the cause of the Trojan War. When King Pelius wedded the sea nymph Thetis, a huge banquet was held in celebratio...
